Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories

Legionella Culture

Test Code

CXLEG

Description

Legionella culture is used when atypical respiratory illness is suspected such as Legionnaire's Disease (a type of pneumonia) and Pontiac disease (a flu-like infection). Note that Legionella may be better detected using PCR instead of culture.

Collect

Appropriate specimens for testing:

Expectorated sputum
Bronchoscopy samples: brushes, washes, and lavages
Needle aspirates of lung tissue
Sterile fluids (pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal)
Tissue

Submit specimen in a sterile container or a syringe capped without the needle.

Saline may be inhibiting to Legionella.

Preferred volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.25 mL

Patient Prep

Avoid antibiotic administration prior to sample collection.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens received outside of temperature storage requirements
Specimens received outside of stability time frame
Specimens that do not meet the minimum volume requirement
Specimens in non-sterile containers
Specimens from a source not acceptable for this testing
Specimens that are excessively leaking
Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Stability

Source of Specimen

Temperature

Recommended Stability

Maximum Stability

Note

Sterile fluids:

pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, ascites, amniotic, culdocentesis, synovial fluids, and cerebrospinal fluid

Deep Wounds:

Tissue/biopsies, abscess aspirates, fine needle aspirates

Room temperature

(20-25°C)

ASAP

≤24 hours

Do not refrigerate

Expectorated/ Induced Sputum

Bronchoscopy

(Bronchial Wash, BAL)

Room temperature

(20-25°C)

≤2 hours

Sputum mailers are accepted ≤ 5 days

Refrigerated

(2-8°C)

≤ 24 hours

Performed

7 days a week from 8 am to 6pm

Methodology

Bacterial culture using media specific for Legionella

Turnaround Time

14 days

Department

Microbiology Lab

Study Offerings

CAP/CLIA